Man who allegedly robbed pregnant woman arrested in Lawndale

Deputies tracked down and arrested a man suspected of accosting a pregnant woman outside a Lawndale liquor store, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Monday.

The unidentified victim had just left the store at 16201 Hawthorne Boulevard when a young man approached her, punched her in the face and tore off her necklace. He ran off clutching the jewelry and disappeared from sight.

While paramedics treated the woman for minor injuries, deputies combed the area and learned the suspect had run into a friend’s home nearby. When they found him, he had quickly undressed and pretended he’d been sleeping, according to Sheriff’s Lt. John Hocking.

Deputies recovered the necklace, and the victim was able to identify her assailant shortly after the May 23 incident.

Last week, Hocking said, the suspect, identified as Christian McCraw, 19, of Lawndale, was charged with one count of robbery and was being held without bail because of a probation violation.

McCraw’s next court date is June 11.

“The deputies and detective did an outstanding job taking this violent criminal off the streets of Lawndale,” Hocking said.

ALSO:

Powerhouse fire evacuees prepare to return home soon

Limited search continues for man swept over Yosemite waterfall

Women, kids pepper-sprayed during dust-up at Sacramento-area mall

jean.merl@latimes.comTwitter: @jeanmerl